John F. Richardson

John F. Richardson (Rich) was born April 12, 1912 to Carl and May Richardson in Medford, Oregon. He graduated with a B.A. in education from the University of Oregon in 1933. From 1934 to 1936 Rich served in the FBI in Washington D.C. After serving in the FBI, and while in the Army Reserve and National Guard, Rich worked for the Social Security Administration. He began there at its inception in 1936, until he was called to active duty as a Lieutenant, after Pearl Harbor, eventually achieving the rank of colonel. He was dispatched to England, participated in the Normandy Invasion, and served in the military government in Germany, working with displaced persons at the conclusion of World War II. Rich returned to Social Security, and remained in the Army Reserve. In 1965 he became the Regional Commissioner of the US Social Security Administration for the West Coast Rich received the "Equal Opportunity Achievement Award," the most prestigious award granted by the Health Education, and Welfare Department, during his tenure as Regional Commissioner. The award was given for "outstanding leadership in the employment and advancement of minority persons with the Federal Government" Rich's first two retirements came in 1975 from Social Security and the Army, as full colonel. After retiring from the Army and Social Security, Rich still remained an active member of the Army Reserve. He also worked in Indonesia and Chile with both countries governments helping to set up similar Social Security programs. A passionate believer in "life-long learning," Rich returned to study and obtained his Masters in Public Administration from Oklahoma University. He then earned an E.E.D in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. Rich taught graduate level courses at Golden Gate University and Troy State University. He moved to Las Cruces in 1985 and continued teaching. Upon his third retirement, Rich started a smallconstuction Company, studied real estate, and completed his broker's license. In 1993 he retired for the fourth time, and traveled the world to continue learning until his passing. Throughout his life, Rich remained a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather. Rich is survived by his wife, Beba Galban Richardson of Las Cruces, NM; one daughter, Joan Richardson Smith of Las Cruces, NM; Stepchildren, Maria Crawley, Flavio Galban, Henry Galban, Luisa Bruner, John Galban and Cecilia Galban. Also surviving Rich are two grandchildren, Gregory Z. Smith and Jeffrey Z. Smith and 12 step-grandchildren. A Memorial Funeral Service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, corner of South Main and St. James in Mesilla Park, at 3:00 PM on Friday, August 19, 2005. Officiating will be Father Richard Higgs. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the memory of John F. Richardson to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana, Las Cruces, NM 88005, 505-523-4700, PDF Printable Version